Stop Smoking - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 4:04 - 0 Comments

Is Chantix all it claims to be?

When all other devices have failed, it has been found by some people that Chantix is the one that finally did help them to quit. Chantix is different than most stop smoking aids. It works as a nicotine blocker, which in turn blocks the absorption of nicotine to the receptors in the brain. This, over time, lessens the desire to smoke as there is less receptors available for the nicotine to attach itself to. Which, of course, makes you want that cigarette less and less.

Many people have quit using this method relatively easily, with very little withdrawal symptoms. Even longtime, three pack a day smokers are amazed. Chantix is available only by prescription, so you need to book a doctor’s visit and make sure that your insurance will cover Chantix, many insurance companies are slow to cover smoking cessation medication in general. However, if your insurance happens to cover Chantix, expect it to be in a higher tier of your pharmacy co-pay.

The first two weeks of taking Chantix are simply to allow the medication levels to build up in your system. However, since Chantix contains no nicotine, quitting smoking before you start taking it it not necessary.

With this in mind, it is important that you pick a day to quit somewhere towards the end of the two weeks, however there have been some who actually extend this up to three weeks, which allows the medication in their system to build up even further.

There can be side effects to using Chantix. These differ depending on the person using it, but can be as varied as excessive gas, headaches, nausea or as some people have described them, extremely vivid dreams.

Chantix comes with a very good, free online support system and is designed for you to start receiving support even prior to beginning medication. Daily e-mail updates are sent to your inbox that direct you back to the site for further support with projects designed to help you keep on track.

Chantix is not for everybody and although it is a very promising medication, some people have more of the psychological addiction to nicotine, than a physical one. In the latter case Chantix could work very well and does offer some behavioral support. However if you have more of the psychological addiction to nicotine Chantax may not be the right medication for you and your doctor may recommend a different medication better suited to your needs.

Whatever you do, do not think that Chantix, or any other stop smoking aid for that matter, is the magic pill that is going to make you quit. Only medications used with a strond desire to quit have a chance of being successful. The medications, Chantix included, are only there to give us an edge in quitting, not do it for us.